Some ambulances have been forced to wait as long as 12 hours outside Memphis hospitals to drop off patients, according to the Memphis Fire Fighters Association. The problem appears to be tied to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, which has brought many hospitals to capacity. Tuesday afternoon, the Memphis Fire Department confirmed ambulances were backed up at St.
- PUB DATE: 12/30/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WREG-TV CBS 3 Memphis

A burglary and theft of $50,000 worth of firefighting and emergency equipment at a Woodland fire station could temporarily slow emergency services to the nearby rural community, fire officials said Tuesday. Cowlitz County Fire District 1 Assistant Chief Bob Kofstad said volunteers with the station discovered the break-in Monday, Dec.
- PUB DATE: 12/30/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Longview Daily News - Metered Site

Firefighters in Massachusetts are sounding the alarm about delays in COVID-19 vaccinations for first responders. On Tuesday, Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, the statewide union, posted on Twitter claiming the state has “no viable plan” to vaccinate local firefighters. The union president says the union learned the state planned to place the responsibility for distributing vaccines to first responders on local city and town boards of health.
- PUB DATE: 12/30/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WBZ-TV CBS 4 Boston

U.S. emergency medical personnel are getting quick access to COVID-19 vaccines in some parts of the United States while fire chiefs in other areas forecast a delay of weeks or months, highlighting the chaotic nature of a rollout that relies on states and counties to plan and administer distribution. A lack of detailed federal guidelines has forced U.
- PUB DATE: 12/30/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: U.S. News & World Report

A two-alarm fire that destroyed a strip of businesses in Seattle’s Lake City neighborhood late Monday was intentionally set, Seattle Fire investigators say. Seattle Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was incendiary. The arson bomb squad and the Seattle Fire Department fire marshal are investigating the fire.
- PUB DATE: 12/30/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle